South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1887-07-22
HUNTERS PERIL.
A Thrilling Adventure With
a Fierce Mountain Lion.
The Wounded Animal Lends His Pursusrs
q Long Chase

AFort keogh (SIontana) letter to the
New York Times describes the character
istics OF the fierce mountain lions which
infcst that region. Tho writer says:
These animals AFRO too we'll known all
over the country to need further dcscrir-
ton, but an incident will serve to illu,-
tratc their foreclosures and dangc-ou,
character il they happen to be wounded
instead Of killed outright. A party of
deer hunters were out some time since
among the foothills of the Big Horn
Mountains, or rather what we call Little
Horn, on the eastern slope of the main
Horn range, and had made lovely head :
quarters camp on the banks Of cold
and rocky rivulet, teeming with trout,
while back of them, slopiny into the air,
were the timbercd inclines OF the first
benches of the mountains. About four
miles distant was gigantic canon or
mountain rent, within the depths of
which numerous grizzlies were known TO
have their dens. As the party were after
deer, however, and not bear, they in.
tended to steer clear of the gorge, con-
timing themselves TO the numbered slopes,
where numerous deer signs were visible,
and also indications Of the monster blue
or true Rocky Mountain elk.
The morning after their arrival two
OF the hunters, Richards and Craig.
shouldercd their rifles and struck off
across the valley in the direction of the
canon. soon losing themselves among
the clusters of pine timber that fringcd
the foothills. Here they separated,
agreeing to meet near the entrance of
the canon at noon and compare notes.
Thirty minutes had hardly elapsed when
Richards heard the report of rifle,
(his comrade's) and almost Immediately
aftcrward another shot rang out, in
stantly followed by third. Thinking
he had struck nest of deer, Richards
fastened forward and found his partner
standing over the carcasscs of two deer.
with wounded mountain lion holding
him at bay, and his gun some % feet
distant lying on tho ground. How
Craig ever foolishly parted with his GU,
the rescucr never stopped to inquire, but
while Craig stood facing the lion with II
long bowie knife in his hand, II chards
hastily raised his piece and fired at the
brute. With scream OF pain the ami
mai vaultcd in tho air straight at Craig,
but miscalcnlating the distance passed
at least three feet beyond. Fortunately
the man lodged and the animal kent
on leaping. soon disappearing from
sight. 1t was narrow escape, but it
was c'ean ono, and it may be truly
said that both men were thankful for
the small favor.
Dropping the deer, the hunters set
out alter the lion, whose trail was made
plain by the spots aud drppings of
blood. The spoor was easily followed.
for, though clusters of pines were here
and there, the ground was destitute of
grass or underbrush and the great lets
OF blood spurtcd all over the ground and
on the fallen logs told that the beost
was badly wounded and walking slowly.
After proceeding a mile they spied the
fellow about 200 ards ahead standing
stiff and intently licking his wounds.
On sighting them he majestically dashed
his tail from side to side for all the
world like n domestic cat in n rage. but
just as the rifles were brought to bear
on him, whisk out of sight he went, and
neither of the hunters could tell what
had become of him. Cautiously thev
reconnoitercd, examining the trees
above, for perchancs the agile climber
might be roosting on some limb ready
'or spring downward. They found n
pool OF blood where he had stood mend.
ing his wound and from there the trail
led i'll spots again up short hill, down
the other side into the bed OF a rayine
where he had evidently stopped mo-
ment to drink and cool his bleedino
fracture or fractures. Straight ito the
mouth of the canon he LED the hunters.
and after following a milo into the
depths and darkness of this awful
mountain rent, coming to pile OF moss
covered rocks there lay the mountain
lion not so yards distant, crouchcd on
the ground with his head between his
paws.
For a moment they thought him dead,
but when the monster raised his head
glared at them angrily, aud then emitted
an ominous growl there was no mistakino
his intentions had the beast STRENGTH
and power sufficient left to get back a,
them. Both men cautiously and slowly
raised their n 3, aimed carefully Mt the
lions head, aud at the word pulled of
together. The animal did not inmp nor
make any moro fuss; nc simply rolled
over, stretched out his limbs, worked his
ugly and sharp claws moment or two.
and gave mp the ghost without another
protest. lie was n male adult of full
size, measured fl IL feet in tho c,eor
and had jaw on him that was capable
oil crushing an OK. HIS skin was in
beautiful condition, being a BRIGHT
brown on tho back b,,, fo,l;,s. -.